BIS Hallmarking Centre Setup Scheme 2026-31
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released a notification dated 19 October 2026 calling for applications for the establishment of Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centres under the BIS Central Assistance Scheme 2026–31.
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Introduction
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released a notification dated 19 October 2026 calling for applications for the establishment of Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centres under the BIS Central Assistance Scheme 2026–31. The assistance amount could range from 30% to 75% of the machinery and equipment cost incurred by eligible private entrepreneurs, laboratories, and Government institutions on a one-off basis.
The BIS Hallmarking Centre Scheme 2026 applies to areas where there is no Assaying and Hallmarking Centre operating.
Here is what you need to know about eligibility, subsidy rates, hallmarking centre setup costs, required documents, application fees and the registration process.
Key Highlights of the BIS Scheme 2026- 31
| Scheme period | 2026–2031 |
| Notification date | 19 October 2026 |
| Financial assistance | 30%-75% of specified machinery and equipment costs |
| Eligible locations | Districts without an existing AHC |
| EOI processing fee | RS1,000 + applicable GST |
| Application window | 30 days from EOI floating date exact closing date to be confirmed with BIS |
| Recognition authority | Bureau of Indian Standards |
What Is the BIS Central Assistance Scheme 2026–31 for Hallmarking Centres?
The BIS Central Assistance Scheme 2026–31 provides financial support to eligible applicants planning to establish Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) in districts without existing facilities.
An Assaying and Hallmarking Centre is a laboratory recognised by BIS for testing the purity of gold or silver jewellery and artefacts and carrying out hallmarking within its approved scope.
For gold jewellery, hallmarking provides an independent means of verifying the declared purity. A recognised centre carries out the prescribed testing and hallmarking procedures, helping maintain confidence in the purity of precious metal articles. The scheme seeks to encourage the development of testing facilities in areas where jewellery businesses do not have access to a local AHC.
What Are the Main Objectives of the Scheme?
- Expand hallmarking facilities: Encourage new centres in districts where AHC services are unavailable.
- Support eligible applicants: Offer one-time financial assistance towards prescribed machinery and equipment costs.
- Enhance access: Ensure that testing and hallmarking facilities are provided in more districts.
- Adhere to test criteria: Enforce compliance by centres with BIS recognition and operational standards.
- Encourage laboratory investment: Support eligible projects in establishing the necessary testing infrastructure.
The scheme should not be confused with general BIS recognition. A laboratory may qualify for BIS recognition without being eligible for financial assistance. BIS also clarifies that financial assistance under the Central Assistance Scheme is intended for qualifying AHCs and not off-site hallmarking centres.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for the BIS Hallmarking Centre Scheme?
The October 2026 BIS notification invites Expressions of Interest from government organisations, PSUs, reputed laboratories, private entrepreneurs and other interested parties.
However, BIS Hallmarking Centre eligibility depends on both the applicant and the location where the centre will be established.
Eligible Applicant Categories
| Applicant type | Eligibility |
| Private entrepreneurs | Can apply subject to the scheme conditions |
| Central and State Government organisations | Eligible to submit an EOI |
| Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) | Can apply for assistance at the applicable rates |
| Public and private laboratories | Eligible if they meet the prescribed conditions |
| Other interested applicants | May apply subject to BIS terms and conditions |
Important Conditions for Financial Assistance
1. The district must not already have an AHC
The proposed location should be in a district where no Assaying and Hallmarking Centre exists, whether previously assisted or otherwise.
2. Applicants must be independent of the jewellery trade.
The notification states that the applicant centre and its promoters must not have any linkage with jewellery trading or manufacturing.
3. BIS recognition is compulsory
The centre must meet the applicable BIS requirements and obtain recognition before qualifying for financial assistance.
4. Priority is given to the first qualifying recognised centre.
Where an eligible district receives more than one proposed centre, the notification specifies that the applicant who first obtains BIS recognition and meets the scheme conditions will be eligible for financial assistance.
5. The prescribed terms must be satisfied.
Applicants must comply with the relevant EOI terms and conditions, including technical and operational obligations.
Before investing in land, equipment or laboratory development, applicants should check the existing AHC list on the BIS hallmarking portal.
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BIS Hallmarking Centre Subsidy 2026-31: Financial Assistance Rates
The BIS Hallmarking Centre Subsidy 2026 provides one-time financial assistance based on the applicant category and the location of the proposed centre.
The notification specifies the following rates:
| Location | Private applicants | PSUs |
| Normal areas | 30% | 50% |
| North Eastern States, Special Category States and Rural Areas | 50% | 75% |
The highest notified assistance rate is 75% for eligible PSUs in North Eastern States, Special Category States and Rural Areas.
For private applicants, the applicable rate is 30% in normal areas and 50% in the specified special categories of locations.
How Is the BIS Hallmarking Centre Subsidy Calculated?
The financial assistance percentage applies to the specified machinery and equipment costs, rather than the total investment in setting up a hallmarking centre.
For example, if an eligible applicant has RS20 lakh in qualifying machinery and equipment costs, the illustrative assistance would be:
| Applicant category | Subsidy rate | Illustrative financial assistance |
| Private applicant normal area | 30% | RS6 lakh |
| PSU normal area | 50% | RS10 lakh |
| Private applicant NE/SCS/RA | 50% | RS10 lakh |
| PSU NE/SCS/RA | 75% | RS15 lakh |
These calculations are illustrative. They do not establish the eligible cost of any particular project or guarantee approval of the stated amount.
The actual assistance depends on the scheme terms, recognition status and applicable eligibility requirements.
Can Every BIS-Recognised AHC Claim Financial Assistance?
No. A recognised AHC does not automatically qualify for assistance.
The financial assistance scheme has additional conditions relating to the proposed district, the applicant's background and the order in which eligible centres receive BIS recognition. A centre that does not qualify for financial assistance may still obtain BIS recognition if it meets the prescribed requirements.
Planning a new hallmarking centre? Before finalising your investment, get professional guidance from Corpseed on district eligibility, BIS AHC recognition and the applicable Central Assistance Scheme conditions.
Requirements and Documents for Setting Up a BIS Hallmarking Centre
An applicant planning to establish a Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centre must arrange suitable premises, testing equipment, trained personnel and the documents required for BIS recognition. The centre must comply with IS 15820:2024, which establishes the general requirements for setting up and operating Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. The revised standard replaced IS 15820:2009, with implementation required from 1 November 2024.
Technical Requirements for BIS AHC Recognition
| Requirement | What applicants need to arrange |
| Laboratory premises | Suitable areas for receiving, testing, storing and hallmarking jewellery |
| Testing equipment | Equipment appropriate for the testing methods and approved scope |
| Technical personnel | Competent staff for assaying, testing and hallmarking operations |
| Quality management system | Documented procedures, quality manual and testing records |
| CCTV surveillance | Recording of laboratory activities, with 30-day footage retention |
| Insurance | Minimum RS40 lakh insurance cover for jewellery and artefacts under the 2024 implementation guidance |
| Testing competence | Appropriate quality checks, measurement uncertainty evaluation and proficiency testing |
| Statutory permissions | Applicable business, environmental, safety and other approvals |
BIS's 2024 guidelines also address staff competence, impartiality, confidentiality and maintenance of laboratory records.
Documents Required for BIS AHC Recognition
Applicants should prepare the documents prescribed in the current BIS guidelines.
- Proof of business establishment
- Premises address proof
- Identity proof
- Location map
- Quality manual
- Affidavit-cum-undertaking
- Application form
The BIS Forms and Formats page identifies Form-IV for AHC recognition and Form-V for the affidavit-cum-undertaking. It also provides Schedule-II for the applicable recognition fees.
Applicants can access these forms through the official BIS Forms and Formats page. The document requirements for obtaining BIS recognition are separate from the EOI documents required under the 2026–31 financial assistance scheme. Applicants should review both before proceeding.
What Is the Cost of Setting Up a Gold Hallmarking Centre in India?
The Gold Hallmarking Centre Setup Cost depends on the proposed laboratory capacity, premises, equipment, staffing and compliance requirements.
There is no single investment figure that applies to every project. Costs can vary considerably depending on whether the applicant already has suitable laboratory premises and equipment.
Main Expenses Involved in Hallmarking Centre Setup
| Cost component | What it includes |
| Premises and infrastructure | Rent or property expenses, laboratory interiors, electrical arrangements and utilities |
| Testing and hallmarking equipment | Appropriate assaying instruments, furnaces, balances, laser-marking equipment and supporting apparatus |
| Technical staff | Personnel responsible for laboratory management, testing and hallmarking |
| Quality management | Documentation, quality controls, calibration and competence-related activities |
| Safety and security | CCTV arrangements, insurance, secure storage and fire safety |
| BIS recognition | Applicable application, assessment, recognition and other prescribed fees |
| Operational expenses | Consumables, electricity, maintenance and other recurring costs |
The exact machinery list and technical specifications must be determined using the current BIS standard and the intended recognition scope.
What Is the BIS Hallmarking Centre Application Fee?
Under the October 2026 EOI, the application-cum-processing fee is RS1,000 plus applicable GST. However, this is only the EOI processing fee. BIS recognition has a separate fee structure under Schedule-II of the applicable regulations. Applicants should check the current schedule before budgeting for recognition.
Financial aid will be given for machinery and equipment where applicable. No assumptions should be made regarding other costs, unless otherwise stated in the program terms and conditions. For a reliable project budget, applicants should estimate their equipment costs, initial investment and recurring operational expenses separately.
How to Apply for BIS Hallmarking Centre Registration and Central Assistance?
Applicants intending to establish a Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centre under the BIS Central Assistance Scheme 2026-31 must follow the EOI procedure and separately fulfil the requirements for BIS recognition.
Step 1: Check Whether the Proposed District Is Eligible
Visit the BIS list of recognised AHCs and check whether a centre already exists in the selected district. The location must meet the conditions specified in the 2026 EOI.
Step 2: Confirm the Applicant's Eligibility
Review the applicant categories and the restriction on connections with jewellery trading or manufacturing. Checking eligibility at this stage can help avoid investing in a project that does not qualify for financial assistance.
Step 3: Obtain the BIS EOI Application Form
Download the prescribed application form for setting up a Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centre under the Central Assistance Scheme from the BIS website. Read the applicable terms and conditions carefully.
Step 4: Prepare the Supporting Documents
Complete the EOI form and attach the required documents and declarations. The notification states that incomplete applications will be summarily rejected.
Step 5: Pay the EOI Processing Fee
Pay the prescribed RS1,000 plus applicable GST using the payment instructions provided in the notification. Applicants should verify the official payment details directly with BIS before transferring funds.
Step 6: Submit the EOI Application
The October 2026 notification requires the completed application to be submitted in a sealed envelope marked: Expression of Interest for Setting up of Assaying & Hallmarking Centre
Step 7: Establish the Required Laboratory Infrastructure
The required premises, machines, skilled people, and quality management documentation shall be prepared according to the requirements of the BIS. It is essential to ensure that the required standards are met before the purchase of machinery for the intended center.
Step 8: Apply for BIS AHC Recognition
Please file the online application form available on the website of BIS together with the necessary documentation and fees. BIS evaluates the infrastructure and technical capability of the centre before giving recognition.
Step 9: Fulfil the Financial Assistance Conditions
After satisfying the applicable EOI and recognition conditions, the applicant must follow the procedure prescribed by BIS for financial assistance.
Important: Submission of an EOI does not constitute BIS recognition, subsidy approval or a guarantee of financial assistance.
What Is the Last Date for Submitting the BIS EOI?
The notice indicates that the submission period is 30 days from the floating date of 19 October 2026. In as much as there is no separate statement of the closing date in the notice, the applicants may consult the BIS Hallmarking Department for information on the closing date and further extensions.
How Can Corpseed Help You Set Up a BIS Hallmarking Centre?
Setting up a Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centre involves important decisions about location, infrastructure, equipment and regulatory approvals.
Applicants seeking assistance under the BIS Central Assistance Scheme must also understand the difference between eligibility for financial assistance and eligibility for BIS recognition. Corpseed provides compliance consultancy support to entrepreneurs and organisations planning an Assaying and Hallmarking Centre setup.
Our BIS Hallmarking Centre Consultancy Services
- Eligibility assessment: Guidance on applicant categories, district eligibility and relevant EOI restrictions.
- EOI application assistance: Support in understanding the application process and preparing the required documentation.
- Document verification: Assistance with identifying incomplete or inconsistent application information.
- BIS AHC recognition guidance: Support in understanding the prescribed forms, technical requirements and recognition procedure.
- Regulatory compliance assistance: Guidance on identifying the permissions and approvals applicable to the proposed facility.
- Application support: Assistance with documentation-related queries and procedural coordination.
An experienced BIS Hallmarking Centre Setup Consultant can help applicants understand what is required before substantial expenditure is committed.
Corpseed's hallmarking centre registration services are intended to provide professional guidance, while BIS remains the authority responsible for recognition and decisions concerning financial assistance.
Planning to set up a Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centre? Contact Corpseed for assistance with eligibility assessment, EOI documentation, BIS AHC recognition and applicable compliance requirements.
Conclusion
Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centre establishment by eligible applicants is made possible through the BIS Hallmarking Centre Scheme 2026-31, with financial support for certain machinery/equipment expenses.
Before applying, businesses should check district eligibility, understand the applicable subsidy conditions, plan their investment and prepare for BIS recognition.
Corpseed can assist prospective applicants with EOI documentation, regulatory requirements and the BIS AHC recognition process, helping them approach their proposed hallmarking centre project with better preparation.
About the Author
Anshika Jindal
Content WriterAnshika Jindal, a Legal Content Writer with strong expertise in legal research and a solid academic background in BA LLB and LLM (Criminal Law). I specialize in researching statutes, case laws, and legal developments and presenting them in clear, accurate, and engaging written content. With strong analytical skills and attention to detail, I create reliable, well-structured legal content while maintaining professional and ethical standards.
I specialize in conducting in-depth legal research using credible sources and presenting legal information in a structured, reader-friendly manner while maintaining precision and authenticity. My work focuses on simplifying legal language without compromising its meaning, making legal content accessible to a wider audience.
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